Container closure



Oct. 25, 1932. H. M. NHCHOLLS CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Jan. 26. 1931 mvENToR ZV BY ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, i932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY M. NICHOLLS, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CAN COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, NnY., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY CONTAINER CLOSURE Application led January 26, 1931.

This invention relates in general to con-f tainers of the dredge top variety adapted for the packaging, shipping and dispensing of spices and other granular substances and is more `particularly directed to an improved sifter top construction for such containers.

An important object of the invention is the provision of asifter top closure which may be applied to the container after the latter has been filled with the desired contents, and which enablesthe packer to close the container by hand or by means of a simple pressure tool andl which saves him the expense and trouble of a more complicated double seaming or crimping machine.

Another important `object of the invention is the provision of a combined friction plug closure and dispensing device which is simple in arrangement and construction and may be cheaply and rapidly manufactured by standard type of automatic machinery.

Still another important object of the'invention is the provision of such a combined` closure and dispensing device which requires a minimum amount of material to make, which will effectively prevent accidental escape of the contents and which may be easily manipulated to close the container completely or to close sifter openings or a pouring opening or to selectively expose said openings.

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l'is a top plan view of a preferred form of container embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 1, showing the slide in position to expose the pouring opening in the friction closure;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the slide in position to expose the sifter openings;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along the line 4.--4 of Fig.` 1, showing the top part of the container, the friction closure and the slide in central or closed position; and

Serial No. 511,120.

Fig. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. i

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, I have shown a Well known type of oblong spice container body 11, having substantially rounded corners 12, and a top end or friction ring 13 permanently secured to the body, preferably by means of a double seam 14, or in any suitable or preferred manner.

The material of the friction ring or annulus 13, inwardly of the double seam 14, is depressed or countersunk below Ythe level of the topedge of the seam 14, to form a horizontal panel 15, a slightly raised rounded shoulder 16, and a depending flange or friction seat wall 17, which defines a filling opening 18, through which the container is adapted to be filled.

A friction plug 19 is adapted to effectively seal the filling opening 18 by making tight frictional contact with the friction ring 13.

The plug 19 comprises a substantially fiat central elevated top panel 20, located between the horizontal plane of the panel and the plane of the top edge of the double seam 14. An annular, U-shaped channel 21l having spaced, parallel, vertical, annular walls, ire. an inner wall 22 and an outer friction wall 23 is disposed about the central panel 20. The friction Wall 23 is adapted to frictionally en gage the depending fiange or friction wall 17 of the friction ring 13 and terminates in an outwardly bent peripheral flange or ledge 24, adapted to overlie and engage the shoulder 16 of the friction ring 13.

A pouring opening 25 and sifter openings 26 are' located at opposite points of the panel 20.v The material of the panel 20 adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the panel and lintermediate the pouring and sifter openings is cut and struck up and offset to provide a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal lugs or guideways 27, adapted to retain and guide a slide member 28.

The slide 28 is imperforate and has its long sides engaging and sliding in the guideways 27, and it short ends are curled upwardly and inwardly to provide beads or iingerholds 29. An oval shaped bead or ridge 30 reinforces or stiffens the slide 28 about its center, and a centering bead or tit 31 is adapted to engage over a similar tit 32 formed in the panel 20, to firmly hold the slide in closed position as seen in Fig. 4, where the slide is shown in central or closed position, tightly sealing both the pouring opening and the sifter openings. When the slide 28 is moved to either of its end positions for sifting or pouring of the contents it rides over the tit 32 and this tit snaps into the bead to hold the parts in the assumed position.

The container is furnished by the can maker tothe packer of spices or other granular products with the bottom (not shown) permanently secured to the body 11, preferably by a double seam like the seam 14, and with the friction ring 13 also permanently secured as described, and with the friction `Vplug 19 loosely vapplied or separately supplied. The packer fills the container through the filling opening 18 and then forces the plug tightly into place in the friction ring 13, either by hand or by simple pressure tools. This avoids the necessity of filling the container through the bottom and the trouble and expense of employing relatively complicated and costly machines for applying the bottom. n

When it is desired to dispense the contents in relatively large quantities through the pouring opening 25 of the plug 19, the slide 28 is grasped by either fingerhold 29 and moved to the pos1tion shown in Fig. 2. When the contents are to be dispensed through the sifter openings 26 of the plug 19, the slide 28 is moved to theposition shown in Fig. 3.

The guideways 27 are of such height and Width as to permit the slide 28 to move freely, while holding it in firm contact with the plug 19 to prevent leakage.

It will also be noted that the friction plug fiange 24 is located a sufficient distance below the top edge of the double seam 14, to be protected against accidental dislodgement. When it is desired to remove the plug for filling or other purposes, it may be easily lifted out of its friction seat by the insertion of a pry-off tool between'the anel 15 and the flange 24, using the top o the double seam 14 as a fulcrum. i

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be under-A stood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the forni, construction and arrangement of the'y parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a dredge top container, in combination, a container body having a top filling opening, a friction plug closure adapted to seal said openingand having a pouring opening and sifter openings and an imperforate slide movable upon said plug and adapted to close said pouring opening and sifter openings and to selectively expose them, said plug having an outer friction wall, a channel, an upwardly extending inner Wall, and a top panel formed with said inner wall and carrying said slide.

2. In a dredge top container, in combina tion, a container body, an annular member double seamed to said body and provided with a friction seat wall defining a filling opening, a friction plug having an outer friction wall, a channel, an upwardly extending inner Wall, and a toppanel formed with said inner Wall and having a pouring opening and sifter openings said plug being adapted to seal said filling opening, and an imperforate slide movable upon said top panel and adapted to close said pouring and sifter openings and to selectively expose them.

3. In a dredge top container, in combination, a container body, a friction ring double seamed to said body and provided with a friction seat wall ywhich defines a filling opening, a friction plug formed with an outer friction wall, an upwardly extending inv ner wall, and a top panel formed with said inner wall and having a pouring opening and sifter openings, said plugbeing adapted to seal said filling opening and an imperforate slide movable upon said top panel and adapted to close said pouring and sifter openings and to selectively expose them, said friction plug and slide being located below the top of the double seam for protection.

4. In a dredge top container, in combination, a container body, a friction ring secured to said body and rovided with a depressed panel and depending friction seat wall, defining a filling opening, a U-shaped friction plug having a pouring opening and sifter openings, and also having a friction wall adapted to make frictional contact with said depending friction seat wall to close said filing opening and an inner upwardly extending wall formed with a top panel, said o enings being formed in said top panel an an imperforate slide movable upon said top panel and adapted to close said pouring and sifter openings and to selectively expose them, said friction plug and slide being located below the top edge of the container for protection.

5. In a dredge top container, in combination, a container body, a friction ring double seamed to said body and provided with a depressed panel and depending friction seat wall defining a filling opening, a friction plug adapted to close said filling opening and .formed with an elevated panel having a pouring opening and sifter openings and a U- expose them and slidingly movable upon said elevated panel between guideways struck up from said anel.

6. In a redge top container, in combination, a 'container body, a friction ring secured to said body by a double seam and provided With a depressed panel and depending friction seat Wall defining a filling opening, a friction plug adapted to close said lling opening and formed With a channel, an inner Wall and an elevated panel formed with said inner wall, said elevated panel having a pouring opening andsifter openings, an imperforate slide adapted to close said pouring and sifter openings and to selectively expose them and slidingly movable upon said elevated panel between guideways struck up from said panel, said plug and slide being protectively located below the top of sai double seam. p

7. In a dredge top container, in combination, a container body having a filling opening, a friction plug closure adapted to seal said opening and formed with an elevated panel arranged at the top of the plug and having a dispensing opening, and an imperforate slide movable upon said elevated panel and adapted to open and close said dispensing opening, said plug and slide having 3() struck up'parts cooperating to firmly hold said slide in any assumed position.

HENRY M. NICHOLLS. 

